Reminder for candidates
Preparing for test day
The test should be undertaken in a venue where you will not be disturbed for the duration of the test (one and half hours) and the test material will not be compromised.
The venue must have a stable, strong internet connection (Wi-Fi or hardwired).
Your test room should be a quiet private room with desk, chair, good lighting and minimal external noise.
No other person can be in the room with you or enter the room while you undertake the test. You are advised to place a sign on the door stating that you don’t want to be disturbed.
No phone calls or texting should be undertaken during the test. You must not use your phone for any reason. You are not allowed to access internet resources or other paper-based resources.
All test materials are the property of NAATI. You are not permitted to make copies, paper or electronic (i.e. a screenshot), of any test material, or reproduce the test or communicate the test content to a third party.
NAATI’s aim is to ensure that all candidates are treated fairly and given the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge.
If NAATI examiners suspect that a candidate is not following the test conditions, including that test materials have been copied, the examiners will notify NAATI. If this occurs, your test may be cancelled and you will be refused a re-sit.
Test overview
The Intercultural Competency test consists of short answer questions:
- Three knowledge questions, (out of a choice of four), and
- Three scenario questions (out of a choice of five)
All questions are in English and must be answered in English.
Sitting the test
Knowledge question will include a statement relating to either Australian society or the LOTE society. Question topics will include:
- Social institutions, cultural beliefs and practices relating to Australian society and the LOTE society; or cultural and sociolinguistic features in a translation and/or interpreting situation
Each short answer should be between 100 and 200 words.
Scenario questions describe an interpreting or translation situation that could result in communication breakdown, confusion or misunderstanding between the parties involved due to an intercultural issue caused by cultural or sociolinguistic differences. The question following the scenario will require you to:
- Identify the intercultural issue, and
- Demonstrate the implications of the intercultural issue for interpreters or translators.
Each short answer should be between 100 and 200 words.
Assessment & results
Assessment
NAATI examiners will assess your response to each question separately, using an assessment rubric with 4 bands (with Band 1 representing the highest level of performance and Band 4 the lowest). You can view the assessment rubric here.
Each question is assessed against specific criteria:
Knowledge questions
- Criterion A: demonstrating knowledge about topic.
Scenario questions
- Criterion A: identifying the intercultural issue/s present in the scenario, and
- Criterion B: demonstrating an understanding of these issues and their implications for interpreters and/or translators.
To pass each question you must:
- Achieve at least Band 2 for criterion A in the knowledge questions, and
- Achieve at least Band 2 for criterion A and Band 3 for criterion B in the scenario questions.
To pass the test you must:
- Pass at least two of the three knowledge questions AND in the remaining question achieve at least Band 3; and
- Pass at least two of three scenario questions AND in the remaining question achieve at least Band 3 in both criteria.
Note: Band 4 in any criterion will result in a fail for the test.
Results
At the end of each course round, all tests submitted will be sent to examiners for marking.
You should receive your results within 8 weeks of the end of your course.
Re-sitting the test
- Paid reviews of test results and supplementary tests are not available for Intercultural Competency tests.
- You will be offered a re-sit of the whole test if you fail the test. You will need to pay the test fee again for each additional test.
- You may have a maximum of two test re-sits. After the third failed attempt, your credential application will be deemed unsuccessful.
